Began as an entry for a failed 1962 NATO V/STOL transport requirement, the Fiat G.222 was eventually produced for the Aeronautica Militare Italiana as a more conventional medium-sized transport. Manufacturing redesigns delayed service until the mid 1970s but the result was a highly satisfactory transport which is in service with a wide variety of foreign air forces including Argentina, Nigeria, Venezuela, Libya and the United States where it is known as the C-27 Spartan and is considerably improved with additional avionics and more powerful engines. Overall, the G.222 follows the standard transport aircraft configuration common in other similar designs like the Hercules and the C.160 and its flexibility allows it to be used for other roles such as fire-fighting and Elint (electronic intelligence). It is also one of the few aircraft of its size capable of performing impressive acrobatic displays such as loops.

The first prototype G.222TCM flew on 18 July 1970 and entered service in the AMI simply as the G.222. Variants include the G.222RM for radio calibration, G.222SAA fire-fighter, G.222VS electronic intelligence platform and the G.222T which is equipped with Rolls-Royce Tyne engines for Libyan service. The standard G.222 was used by the USAF with slightly modified avionics and designated C-27A Spartan. This was further improved in the collaborative C-27J which has new Rolls-Royce engines and increased performance figures for consideration in the US Army and USAF JCA (Joint Cargo Aircraft) specification.